Mechanisms of reorganization of cell-cell junctions in the testis

Abstract

During spermatogenesis, intercellular junctions are dynamically remodeled to facilitate the translocation of developing germ cells from the basal to the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous epithelium. In particular, at stage VIII of the seminiferous epithelial cycle, timely restructuring of cell junctions localized at the blood-testis barrier and apical ectoplasmic specializations are crucial to allow the entry of preleptotene/leptotene spermatocytes to the adluminal compartment for further development and the release of mature spermatids from the epithelium respectively. In this review, the transcriptional, posttranscriptional and post-translational regulations involved in testicular cell junction restructuring are included and specific areas required further attention are also highlighted.